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Are we as good as we think we are? Self-assessment versus other forms of assessment of competence in psychotherapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2009

Fiona M. Mathieson ,
Tracey Barnfield  and
Graeme Beaumont
Fiona M. Mathieson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand
Tracey Barnfield
Affiliation:
Psychology Clinic, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
Graeme Beaumont
Affiliation:
Blueprint Centre for Learning, Porirua, New Zealand
*
*Author for correspondence: Ms. F. M. Mathieson, Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago University, Wellington, PO Box 7343, South Wellington 6242, New Zealand. (email: [email protected])
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Abstract

The Oracle of Delphi's admonition to ‘know thyself’ may be more difficult than it seems, when it comes to self-assessment of competence in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). This paper investigates the accuracy of self-rating of competence in relation to other measures such as ‘direct’ assessment of videotaped sessions or supervisor ratings. Self-assessment of competence is something most of us do and arguably has an important role in professional development, but it may also be biased and unreliable. Two measures were developed, based on the Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised, to assess student and supervisor assessments of competence at the start and end of a CBT training course. Competence data across a range of measures from a 5-year audit of a postgraduate CBT course is presented and the relationship between self-rated and other-rated measures explored. Results are discussed and it is suggested that trainee self-assessment, while not found in this study to be correlated with other measure of competence, may provide important information about confidence development, and areas where a trainee perceives they have strengths and weaknesses.

Keywords

CBTpsychotherapy trainingself-assessmenttherapist competence
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 43 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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